Aguilas
Blancas
* Location
Los Chorros de Milla, Mérida.
* How to get there
By air or road to Mérida. In Mérida, follow the route toward the
sector Los
Chorros de Milla.
* Characteristics
This camp specializes in organizing vacation plans for children and
young
adults, whose registration can be done through companies as well as
individualy. They also organize ecotourism and adventure programs in
the
Venezuelan Andes. The zone for excursions is tranquil, full of
splendid
places such as Los Nevados, Pico Bolívar, Laguna Negra, etc. The
ecotourism programs last from 1 to 14 days, during which there are
hikes,
climbing, camping, horseback riding, paragliding, birding, travel on
mountain bikes, trout fishing. Included are bilingual guides, meals
and
snacks, local transportation, camping equipment, personalized service
and
specialized information about the region. During school vacation
periods,
they have as their objective to offer a tourism alternative in Mérida,
under
the theme of participative recreation and learning. All of this is
achieved
through sporting games, table games, group dynamics, theater,
paintings,
excursions, guided visits, etc. Prices for ecotourism and adventure
programs must be calculated directly with the camp since they depend
on
locations, the number of people, and length of stay.

* Recomendations
Clothing appropriate for the climate and zone. Depending on the
altitude,
temperatures can drop to 0° C. Shoes geared toward the mountains,
jacket
to protect both against cold and rain, muffler, gloves, hat or cap,
camera,
flashlight, etc.

Average temperature 20° C. Rainy season June to October, dry November
to May.

Finca
el Alto
* Location
In the village of Mucunután, near Tabay.
* How to get there
By air or land to Mérida. From Mérida by road following the road to
Tabay.
* Characteristics
The house has a big central patio where coffee was put to dry in the
sun,
and it is located on a hill with a beautiful view of the Andean
valleys and
the peaks making up Sierra Nevada national park. It has pasture,
coffee,
flowers and vegetable sown fields and many farm animals: geese, ducks,
turkeys, rabbits, chickens, pigs, cattle and dogs. Price includes
lodging,
breakfast and dinner.
* Recomendations
Appropriate clothes for the climate. Temperatures decrease at night
and if
you go to the mountain you have to be prepared. Mountain shoes,
protective jackets for cold and rain, scarf and gloves, hat or cap,
camera,
flashlight, etc.
* Facilities
colonial house built in 1828 and appropriately restored following its
rural
architectonic style. It has 5 rooms with private bathroom, enjoyable
hall
with fireplace, game room, bar with music, fully equipped kitchen and
dining hall.

Finca
el Tao
* Location
In El Tao, in the village of Saisayal, La Azulita.
* How to get there
By air to El Vigía or Mérida. By land from El Vigía following the
Pan-American highway toward Zulia state.
* Characteristics
Here, there are two possibilities for enjoyment. One is solely focused
on
ecological tourism with all that this beautiful zone offers with its
valleys
and mountains; and, the other, health and recuperation. It is a
typical
Andean farm in the middle of exuberant virgin mountains, where one can
enjoy nature, truly connect with her through a natural health plan
based on
a medical diagnosis - or simply enjoy the camp, its food, and
excursions.
On the route to the camp, one crosses spacious lands covered with
forests
which, rather than appearing Andean, seem more typical of the Amazon,
since they are nearly impenetrable. They organize excursions according
to
the interests of the guests. These might include exploration of the
Andean
paramos (high moors), visits to nearby villages such as Jají, Chiguará,
San
Pedro del Río, etc., visits to the best artisans of the region. Only
lodging,
meals are not included.
* Recomendations
Clothing appropriate for the climate and region. Depending on the
altitude,
temperatures can drop to 0° C. Shoes geared toward the mountains,
jacket
to protect both against cold and rain, muffler, gloves, hat or cap,
camera,
etc.
* Facilities
Quiet and beautiful place, with 16 cabins built with materials found
in the
area, everything is natural. A main house, typically Andean, with mud
walls, fireplace, wood kitchen, a small house for taking tea which is
made
in the finca, dining hall, living rooms, cow milking and preparation
of
cheeses and yogurt. Regarding health, it has a sauna, a solarium with
regenerative and detoxifying plants, a herbarium and vegetable garden.
There is also a waterspring in the form of a natural well, where you
can
swim and have hydrotherapy, as well as a lagoon and sugar mill. 2
conference rooms, reading rooms and music, mini-shop, kindergarten,
beautiful gardens with aromatic, ornamental and medicinal plants. It
is also
an excellent place for birdwatching, as there have been registered 103
different species spotted in two days. There is an inventory made by
the
Audubon Vene-zuelan Conservationist Society and a side road has been
cut
through the forest of the ranch to serve these purposes. There is a
special
place for back-packers to camp at a minimum price. There is a churuata
destined for children, where special activities are held for them. A
health
plan of 7 to 15 days is offered, with natural therapies that include
mud-therapy, bathes in spring water, aroma-therapy and others.

Hacienda
la Victoria
* Location
Victoria bridge.
* How to get there
By air or land to Mérida. From there following the road via Tovar.
Between the towns of Estanquez and Santa Cruz de Mora.
* Characteristics
They operate under the direction of the Corporación Merideña de
Turismo.
Originally La Victoria coffee company, it is the headquarters of the
Museo
de la Inmigración (Immigration Museum); with guides, antique
pictures,
personal belongings and details of the first families that worked in
the coffee
plantations of the area. They have a Coffee Museum, a conference room,
a
tasca and the posada, decorated in the farm¹s traditional style.
* Recomendations
Warm clothing, mountain boots, hat or cap, jacket that protects you
from
the rain and the cold, gloves, photographic equipment, etc.
* Facilities
A posada with 2 rooms for 3 persons each, private bathroom and hot
water.
By reservation only.

Camping
Club la Traviesa
* Location
Between Mucujepe and Caño Blanco, 12 Km. away from El Vigía.
* How to get there
By land, following the route that goes from Mérida to el Vigía.
* Characteristics
On this site there is also the Campamento Traviesa, for children
during
vacation time. It has a capacity to hold 80 people. The kids, besides
learning about the basic activities of camping, they participate in
activities
related to the ranch, and go on excursions, both on foot an on
horseback,
through the mountain.
* Recomendations
Proper clothimg for the climate and the region. At night time, the
weather
cools a lot, and if you go up the mountain, you must be prepared.
Mountain shoes, jacket for the rain and the cold, gloves, hat or cap,
and
photo camera.
* Facilities
8 cabins with full-size beds and private bathroom with cold water.
They
also offer 10 constructions with cement floor without walls, that can
hold
up to 8 people each, in hammocks with mosquito nets. Shared bathrooms.
There are two restaurants, tasca, court for bolas criollas and
swimming
pool. There are horses for rent.

Los
Rastrojos
* Location
Parque nacional Sierra Nevada.
* How to get there
By air or land to Mérida. Then in 4-wheel drive vehicle to Los
Rastrojos,
at the foot of the páramo (high barren plains).
* Characteristics
Adventure lovers who are not afraid of physical activity have a unique
opportunity here to get to know the tropical Andes, the cloudy forest
and
the birth of the plains. A really interesting trip. Those who don¹t
want to
walk much can get on a mule and follow the caravan. The excursion
starts
in Mérida, in a 4-wheel drive vehicle, and then on foot for some 5
hours
until arriving to the Finca Los Rastrojos, where you can rest for a
night or
two. Then the trip continues toward Los Portones in Loma Oscura, about
3,400 m. high. The descent begins crossing a thick forest until
getting to
the village of El Qui-nó, where you sleep in the homes of local
people. The
excursion continues to Socopó, while you enjoy a contrasting
landscape at
the point where the mountain ends and the magnificent Venezuelan
plains
-the Llanos- begin. Price includes lodging, transportation, guides,
mules
and additional trips.
* Recomendations
Excellent physical condition, adequate clothes- for cold as well as
for heat!
Mountain boots, hat or cap, binoculars, etc.
* Facilities
Country house with all the comforts, hot water, bathroom, etc. You
spend
the night in rural homes, during the trip from the mountain to the
plains.

Camping
Saysayal
* Location
La Azulita.
* How to get there
By air or land to Mérida. Then by road via Jají, up to La Azulita.
* Characteristics
For youngsters from 7 to 14 years. Spacious grounds surrounded by
forests
that form this mountain area. The activities include visits to
craftsman and
milk productions in the area, mountain or river walks, games, etc.
* Recomendations
Warm clothing, sneakers, sweater or jacket, bathing suit, hat or cap,
raincoat, mosquito repellent, etc.
* Facilities
Dormitories with capacity for 50 children, common bathrooms.

Timotocuicas
* Location
In Escagüey, near Mérida.
* How to get there
by air or land to Mérida. From there by road, to Apartaderos.
* Characteristics
This is a vacation camp for young people 8-17 years of age which
functions
from July to September. They have four sessions of 15 days each. It is
one
of the most complete installations of its style and its programs
consist of
50Tlf. of the activities in open air and the rest, various didactic
courses. La
Hacienda Escagüey, located at 2,400 m. (some 7,500 ft.) above sea
level, is
a beautiful colonial house built in 1878, duly restored, and with
maximum
comfort and security. With everything included: meals, excursions,
games,
medical service, equipment for excursions, laundry, air ticket, etc.
* Recomendations
Clothing appropriate for the climate and region. Depending on the
altitude,
temperatures can drop to 0° C. Climbing shoes, jacket to protect both
against cold and rain, muffler, gloves, hat or cap, camera,
flashlight, sun
block, etc.
* Facilities
Comfortable lodging for a maximum of 50 participants. It has a bar and
restaurant.
* Climate
Average temperature 20° C. Rainy season June to October. Dry November
to May.